A conceptual model proposal for determining the factors affecting the perceptual process in the development of place attachment in urban coastal areas

Coasts have been the focal points of coastal cities since ancient times. Throughout history, coastlines have undergone various transformations and encompassed different uses. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, industrial areas located on the coastlines moved away from the shores after the late 1970s. As a result of these areas relocating to the city peripheries, the unused coastal areas have caused degradation along the coasts. Upon the realization of the degradation along the coasts, renewal practices were implemented in the idle, low-quality coastal areas, and the coasts were arranged as public spaces. The aim of these arrangements is to strengthen the connection the user establishes with the place and ensure that the coasts are perceived as successful "places" by users. This study investigates the development of place attachment in urban coastal spaces, which play an important role in the development of urban identity. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors influencing place attachment in the perceptual process to enhance the relationship of individuals with places in urban coasts and to provide a conceptual framework for their inclusion in design processes. In this study, which explores the factors related to the components of individual-environment-process in the perception-understanding-behavior process, the individual component includes socio-demographic factors, the process component includes factors indicating the frequency of coastal use, and the environment component includes factors of space quality. The factors constituting space quality were derived through Exploratory Factor Analysis based on literature research and expert opinions specific to coastal spaces, as well as data obtained from a pilot study conducted in the sample area. An survey was utilized as the data collection method in the study. The survey consisted of four sections: the first section included questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics, the second section included questions about coastal usage characteristics, the third section included questions from the space quality scale, and the fourth section included questions from the place attachment scale. After determining the factor structure to measure space quality objectively and convert perceptual characteristics into numerical data, a "Urban Space Quality Scale" was developed using Confirmatory Factor Analyses. This scale is a validated and highly reliable measurement tool. Place attachment was measured using a reliable scale previously developed by Williams and Waske (2003) in the literature. The survey was conducted in different sub-regions with varying characteristics within the urban coastal area of Antalya Konyaaltı, where public access is provided, and which differs in terms of physical and social environment characteristics. The selection of Antalya Konyaaltı as the sample area was influenced by the presence of coastal sub-regions with different characters and spatial qualities along the coast-city fabric, the transformations on the coast through urban design applications, and the fact that the regulations made in this context cover only a part of the coast, thereby maintaining some of the old spatial character of the coast. Additionally, the fact that the coast is visited by individuals with different socio-demographic backgrounds with varying frequencies also played a role. The surveys were conducted in different coastal sub-regions with varying characteristics identified in Konyaaltı urban coastal area. The findings obtained from the survey were statistically evaluated using the SPSS program. While factors related to the individual and process components were analyzed using Anova Test, Independent Samples t Test, the relationships between space quality factors and place attachment and its sub-dimensions were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). This method was preferred because it allows for the simultaneous evaluation of the effects of space quality factors on place attachment, including their effects on each other and measurement errors. Additionally, regression analysis was applied to determine the singular effects of each space quality factor on place attachment. The results obtained from the analyses indicate that in the urban coastal area of Konyaaltı, socio-demographic factors such as age, occupation, and length of residence are determinants of place attachment. Regarding the coastal usage process, it was found that factors such as the duration of visits to the coast, daily coastal usage time, and frequency of coastal usage all have a significant effect on place attachment. The analyses conducted with Structural Equation Modeling revealed that the quality of open green spaces, liveliness and attractiveness, security, maintenance, and ease of movement among space quality factors influence place attachment and its sub-dimensions. However, it is also among the results that the quality of open green spaces has a negative impact on place attachment and its sub-dimensions. The findings from the regression analysis indicate that all factors positively contribute to place attachment. The results from these two analyses show that different results are obtained when the effects of factors on each other and measurement errors are included in the analysis simultaneously. In conclusion, a conceptual model was developed and implemented in the sample area for the analysis of the development of place attachment in urban coastal areas, and determinative factors related to individual-process-environment components were identified. A measurement tool, "Urban Space Quality Scale," was developed to determine the level of space quality in urban coasts, and a method proposal was provided for the analysis of multifactorial structures. Particularly, attention was drawn to open green spaces, and it was emphasized that this factor, along with other parameters determining space quality such as access, connections, readability, and land use characteristics, should be considered in developing design proposals for coasts. By including these parameters related to individuals, processes, and the quality of the space in future urban design studies, it will be possible to preserve and enhance place attachment in urban coastal areas, thereby creating successful "places" and supporting the physical and social sustainability of coastal identity.